/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f985030bd2edc79f3e3a60d/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=3000&cropY1=0&cropY2=1688&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1 "Google Will Ban All Election-Related Ads After Polls Close On Nov 3")
Topline
Google will ban all ads related to the U.S. elections after polls close on November 3 to avoid causing any confusion about the results, the company announced on Tuesday along with other election-related measures.
Google will ban all election-related ads after polling closes on November 3.
© 2016 Bloomberg Finance LP
Key Facts
In a blog post announcing the measure, the company cited its “sensitive events” policy, which intends to stop brands from exploiting significant social, cultural, or political events.
The company expects the ban to stay in place for at least a week, according to the Washington Post, as the confirmation of election results may take longer than usual this year as more people are likely to vote by mail.
Google has told advertisers that it would “carefully examine a number of factors before deciding to lift this policy for advertisers,” without mentioning an exact timeline, the Washington Post report added.
Google’s video-streaming platform, YouTube, will place a label at the top of search results for all election-related queries and below relevant videos, with the message: “Results may not be final. See the latest on Google,” the company said in a separate post.
The YouTube election label will direct people towards a separate Google page which will carry real-time results from data provided by Associated Press.
The company said that it will also continue to elevate what it considers “authoritative sources” including CNN and Fox News.
Key Background
Google’s election ad ban comes after similar action by other internet giants. Facebook begins its ban on new political ads on Tuesday and the company will also temporarily suspend all political ads after polls close on November 3. Facebook will also label posts where a candidate or campaign tries to declare victory before the final results are in. Twitter has taken a harsher stance on political advertising with the company issuing a broad ban on all political advertising last year. On Monday, Twitter started putting a label on top of every Twitter user’s feed informing them that they might encounter “unconfirmed claims that voting by mail leads to election fraud,” a move the company says will preemptively combat election misinformation.
Further Reading
Google says it will ban political ads following election (Washington Post)
Twitter Will Alert All Users That Mail-In Voting Is Safe And Secure, Contradicting Trump (Forbes)
Facebook Will Block New Political Ads In The Week Before Election Day (Forbes)
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